Abstract: A phantom for use in calibrating dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and quantitative computed-tomography includes one or more sections which are equivalent to bone to X-rays and which have a shape resembling a lumbar vertebra. Each section includes a substantially cylindrical main body simulating the vertebra centrum, a band simulating the neural arch, and transverse and posterior processes extending from the band. The transverse processes are formed in a define wedge shape which tapers down from its attachment to the neural arch band. The section, or stacked sections, are embedded in a matrix of plastic material equivalent to water or tissue.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating smelter flue dust and other smelter by-products so as to recover non-ferrous metals therefrom and convert arsenic and sulfur in the flue dust into non-leachable compounds. The methods allow the flue dust and other smelter by-products such as smelter sludges to be disposed of in a natural environment without subsequent leaching of heavy metals, sulfur, and arsenic. The smelter by-products are mixed with hydrated lie, formed into agglomerates, and roasted at an optimal temperature of about 650.degree. C. to form oxidized arsenic and sulfur which react with the lime in the agglomerates to form non-leachable compounds. The roasted agglomerates are contacted with a basic lixiviant comprising dissolved ammonia and an ammonium salt to dissolve non-ferrous metals such as copper from the roasted agglomerates. Used lixiviant can be boiled to precipitate the non-ferrous metals dissolved therein and vaporize the ammonia, thereby regenerating the lixiviant.

Abstract: A method for extending soluble CD4 serum half-life in mammals is described. The method comprises modifying soluble CD4 glycosylation so as to inhibit clearance from serum. In a preferred embodiment, clearance by hepatocyte galactose receptors is inhibited by removal of soluble CD4 terminal sialic residues followed by oxidation of exposed galactose residues. The modified soluble CD4 molecules are demonstrated to possess extended serum half-life.

Abstract: A hyperthermia device includes a pair of magnetic poles for applying an alternating magnetic field in a body to be heated, these two magnetic poles being laterally arranged on the surface of the body and having time varying polarities opposite to each other, and allowing a line of magnetic force including a component perpendicular to the surface of the body in the vicinity of these magnetic poles.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor laser device includes electronic direction and focusing control. The integrated semiconductor laser device may be used for either transmitting output laser beams or as a laser amplifier for receiving incoming laser beams. The direction and focusing control of the device operates by applying electric current to electrodes coupled to an active channel within an extension chamber of the integrated semiconductor laser device. The applied currents inject a minority carrier density distribution into the active channel. Since the speed of light within a semiconductor changes with minority carrier density distribution, a laser beam wave front may be shaped by the injected minority carrier density distribution to direct and/or focus a laser light beam. The direction and focusing control is completely integrated within the semiconductor laser device and time constants for the electronic direction and focusing control are in nanoseconds.

Abstract: A biologically pure culture of naturally-occurring Pseudomonas strain 679-2 is described. This nonobligate bacterial predator microorganism and its extracellular products are useful for the control of many bacterial and fungal diseases of plants. Whole cells of this bacterium and the antimicrobial compounds that it produces are involved in biological control effects. Materials and methods of preparation and application involving Pseudomonas strain 679-2 and its antimicrobial products are described.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing benzoprostacyclins by the palladium-catalyzed tandem alkene insertion into a 1,4-bisoxy-substituted cyclopent-2-ene intermediate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable lens assembly having a water chamber defined with a front lens holder between two flexible, transparent diaphragms and filled with a fluid, and a syringe connected to the front lens holder and controlled to vary the volume of the water chamber. The diaphragms are stretched to curve outwards and form into a biconvex lens as the plunger of the syringe is pushed forwards in compressing the fluid; the diaphragms are induced to curve inwards and form into a biconcave lens as the plunger of the syringe is pulled backwards in releasing the fluid.

Abstract: An improved flea trap (10) capable of arresting very high percentages of available fleas is provided which includes an illumination system (14) which is located in an elevated position and emits a preferred, relatively narrow-band visible spectrum; the source is operated to give an effective variable light intensity, such as by intermittent on-off operation thereof. Preferably, the trap (10) includes an upright frame assembly (12) supporting a central transparent tube (38). A low wattage incandescent light bulb (42) is positioned within tube (38) and serves, with a light filter sheet (54) applied to the interior of tube (38), to emit flea-attracting illumination presenting a spectrum having its maximum peak centered at a wavelength of from about 450-650 nm, and with a maximum peak half-height-width of from about 50-175 nm.

Abstract: A method for forming thin films of dielectric material which exhibit improved quality and piezoelectric response, which are formed in a DC magnetron reactive sputtering system. The dielectric material is deposited onto a substrate, and the deposition is interrupted before a highly insulating film is grown on the chamber interior. Then, the reactive gas is removed from the chamber and replaced with an inert gas, and a layer of metal is deposited on the chamber interior. This deposition of a metal layer conceals the highly insulating film on the chamber interior thereby improving the quality and piezoelectric response of the dielectric thin films. During the step of depositing a metal layer, the deposited substrate is shielded in order to prevent metal from being deposited on the substrate. Then, the deposition of dielectric material on the substrate and deposition of the metal layer on the chamber interior is repeatedly alternated until a desired thickness of the dielectric thin film has been reached.

Abstract: DNA constructs are provided for the production of Streptomyces lignin peroxidase. The enzyme finds use in the degradation of lignin and oxidation of organic substrates.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for forming an extrudate. The systems include an extrusion head assembly having at least a first inner bore and a second outer bore, a coagulant solution supply and a polymeric casting solution supply. The coagulant supply provides coagulant to the inner bore of the extrusion head assembly, and the polymeric casting solution supply provides a casting solution to the outer bore. Using this system, the coagulant and polymeric solution are coextruded to form an extrudate having a desired configuration. The present invention further includes a rapid action valve controlling at least one of the coagulant or polymer supplies.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting lung tumor multiplicity and/or incidence by treating mammals with relatively long chain arylalkyl isothiocyanates, especially effective with respect to tumors induced by exposure to tobacco-specific nitrosamine. Among the isothiocyanates are 4-phenylbutyl isothiocyanate, phenylpentyl isothiocyanate and phenylhexyl isothiocyanate, which are synthesized by adding hydrochloride of phenylbutylamine, phenylpentylamine, or phenylhexylamine in water to thiophosgene in an inert organic solvent. For comparison testing, oxo-pyridyl butyl isothiocyanate is synthesized by dissolving myosmine in HCl to obtain a hydrochloride salt, suspending the salt in dry chloroform, adding thiophosgene, and adding chloroform containing triethylamine.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical polarization interference filters which employ chiral smectic liquid crystal (CSLC) cells as electronically rotatable retarders. The filters of the present invention are improved in that they are optimized for increased spectral discrimination, uniqueness of spectral outputs and efficient use of CSLC elements. The filters of the present invention include improved single and multiple stage filters. Improved discretely tunable and continuously tunable filters are provided. With respect to filters having one or more stages that contain a series of birefringent elements which are either fixed birefringent elements or active CSLC cells, this invention provides designs which optimize the number of pure spectral outputs which are unique. This optimization relates to the relative order of elements in a stage, the pattern of switching of the active CSLC cells, and the retardations of the CSLC cells in a stage.

Abstract: Improved methods of selectively localizing, imaging and/or treating tumors, which have a net negative charge, employ novel compositions containing non-immunogenic complexes having a net positive charge in a sterile solution. The complexes contain polylysine, a linking agent bound to less than all of the lysyl groups of the polylysine, and an imaging agent or a chemotherapeutic agent which is also bound to the linking agent.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned wtih new 2'-isomeric 2 2',3'-dideoxy-2'.beta.-D-nucleosides and their derivatives where the base moiety has .beta.-stereochemistry but is transposed from the normal 1'-position to the 2'-position and the carbohydrate moiety has the D-configuration at the 4'-position. These compounds are resistant towards hydrolytic cleavage of the glycosidic bond and are resistant to enzymatic deamination. They have potential in the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections, particularly retroviral infections and especially AIDS.

Abstract: Broad spectrum glycosidase inhibitors are produced from monosaccharide lactams by conversion to amidines, amidrazones, or amidoximes. The inhibitors have the general formula: ##STR1## wherein the N and C are joined as part of a monosaccharide azaanalog ring and wherein --NRQ, together with the nitrogen and carbon atoms, form a chemical group selected from amidines, amidrazones, and amidoximes.

Abstract: A process of treating aqueous solutions to remove organic solute contaminants by contacting an aqueous solution containing polar organic solute contaminants with a functionalized polystyrene-divinyl benzene adsorbent resin, with the functionalization of said resin being accomplished by organic hydrophilic groups such as hydroxymethyl, acetyl and cyanomethyl.

Abstract: A method based on image defocus information is disclosed for determining distance (or ranging) of objects from a camera system and autofocusing of camera systems. The method uses signal processing techniques. The present invention includes a camera characterized by a set of four camera parameters: position of the image detector inside the camera, focal length of the optical system in the camera, the size of the aperture of the camera, and the characteristics of the light filter in the camera. In the method of the present invention, at least two images of the object are recorded with different values for the set of camera parameters. The two images are converted to one-dimensional signals by summing them along a particular direction whereby the effect of noise is reduced and the amount of computations are significantly reduced. Fourier coefficients of the one-dimensional signals and a log-by-rho-squared transform are used to obtain a calculated table.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting picornavirus disease in non-murine mammals is disclosed. A vaccine containing a live, recombinant, attenuated picornavirus with a shortened poly(C) tract is administered to the mammal. Preferably, the picornavirus in the vaccine is of the same genus as the disease-causing picornavirus and has a shortened poly(C) tract. The administration of the vaccine causes antibodies effective against the disease-causing picornavirus to be formed in vivo. In one embodiment of the invention, a vaccine containing Mengovirus with a shortened poly(C) tract can be used as a vaccine for both pigs and monkeys.